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Massachusetts Vacations

1001 Vacation Ideas Home


 

Massachusetts Vacations Idea #1:
Battleship Cove in Fall River is home to five historic naval ships. There is a WWII submarine and battleship that are open to visitors and house the World War II and Gulf War Memorial along with a full scale model of a Patriot cruise missile. Available to view from walkways are two PT Boats that saw combat in Korea and Vietnam and a landing craft.

Massachusetts Vacations Idea #2:
Main Street on Nantucket Island is one of New England's most beautiful streets. Here are just a few of the sights.

1800 House; Hadwen House, birthplace of Benjamin Franklin's mother; Jethro Coffin House, Nantucket's oldest house; Museum of Nantucket history; Old Fire Hose Cart House, historical firefighting equipment; Old Windmill, built of wood from shipwrecks; and the Whaling Museum.

Vacation Ideas in Massachusetts #3:
EcoTarium, in Worcester, is a center for nature study. The museum has three floors of interactive exhibits, a planetarium, the Discovery Room dedicated to play for preschoolers and adults, and more. Out on the grounds you can find various wildlife, interpretive nature trails, a tree canopy walkway, and observatory with one of the region's most powerful telescopes.

Massachusetts Vacations Idea #4:
Visit the birthplace of the conservation movement, Walden Pond. Now called Walden Pond State Reservation, the place that inspired Henry David Thoreau to write Walden is a National Historic Landmark. There are many outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, and boating along with Interpretive Programs and other educational programs. In the 304 acre park is a replica of Thoreau's cabin and a trail leading to a cairn that marks the site of the original cabin.

Vacation Ideas in Massachusetts #5:
Visit Plymouth Rock where the Pilgrims first set foot on what was to become the United States. It is the nation's oldest historical tourist attraction. Although it is clearly not the actual landing spot of the first settlers, it has become a powerful symbol of the beginning of our nation. Nearby is a reconstruction of the Mayflower and Wax Museum.

Vacation Ideas in Massachusetts #6:
The Salem Witch Museum and the Witch Dungeon Museum, both in Salem, are fun places to visit. The hysteria of the 1692 witch hunts is captured in multimedia presentations. The witch trial of Sarah Good is reenacted and you can see accused witches waiting their own trials in a recreated dungeon.

Massachusetts Vacations Idea #7:
In Springfield you will find the Basketball hall of Fame. Many historical basketball related items are on display. There are free movies and video highlights of famous games. An extremely popular attraction is one that allows visitors to attempt scoring a basket while on a moving sidewalk.

Vacation Ideas in Massachusetts #8:
Freedom Trail, in Boston is a walking tour that takes you to 16 historical sites. Costumed historic characters guide you along the two-and-a-half mile long trail marked by red bricks and painted lines. Educate yourself about the people, the places, and events of the American Revolution. Celebrate both Boston's and our country's history.

Massachusetts Vacations Idea #9:
The Whale Watching is great out of Gloucester, the whale watch capital of the world. There are three whale watching operators that can provide breathtaking views of these magnificent sea creatures. Guaranteed sightings make it well worth the time. Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, and Minke Whales are the most common with dolphins, porpoise and other varieties of sea life mixed into the fun.

Massachusetts Vacations Idea #10:
The Berkshires is America's Premier Cultural Resort. Taking up the westernmost third of Massachusetts, the Berkshires offer a full rich diversity of more than 60 cultural attractions. And they are all set in the spectacular rolling Berkshire hills.

Just a few examples are the Jacob's Pillow Dance festival, the Becket Arts Center of the Hilltowns, the Berkshire Jewish Film festival, historic Hancock Shaker Village, the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Berkshire Choral Festival and the Williamstown Jazz Festival.

Massachusetts Vacations Idea #11:
Cape Cod National Seashore is located along the Atlantic shore of the Cape Cod Bay in Massachusetts. The 43,000 acres that make up this wonderful vacation destination provide beautiful scenery and lots to do. There are some 40 miles of ocean beaches with six beaches that are great for family swimming. You will find plenty of places to picnic and relax while you enjoy the scenic overlooks, freshwater ponds and pleasant nature trails. Bring the bicycles because there are some really excellent cycling trails. Cape Cod National Seashore is a popular spot for bird watching and other wildlife viewing. Lighthouses and other historic buildings can be toured.

Massachusetts Vacations Idea #12:
Contributed by Johanne Cassia of "Rogers & Brown House B&B".

Ipswich, Massachusetts is a hidden gem of a town. We have spectacular a beach, bird sanctuaries, Rivers,saltmarshes, clams and we are the birthplace of American History. The Mayflower colonists built Ipswich.

Ipswich has more first period homes than any town in America. We have:

  • Fifty eight first period homes
  • Appleton Farm - Oldest working farm in america
  • Chaote Bridge - Oldest double arched stone bridge.
  • Our residents initiated the Boston Tea Party.
  • The fried clams you love are harvested here in Ipswich
  • Earliest dairy room at Greenwood Farm

We have Crane Beach - A magnificent four mile beach of white sand and scurrying shore birds. We have many acres of salt marsh and protected bird and animal sanctuaries. We have sails and trails along the Essex Heritage trail. Many also come here to bike, canoe, kayak and golf our three golf courses.

We refurbished a 300 year old home in Ipswich 12 years ago. It is a multicultural community that we have grown to love. We were asked to be on Historic House Tour 4 years ago. The visitors asked us to open our doors so we are now the "Rogers & Brown House B&B". I decorated the walls of our home and shop in Early American decorative style. I have developed into self taught American Folk artist. We open our home and my studio to people who visit us. I think we have a very special place to offer tourists.

Massachusetts Vacations Idea #13:
Contributed by The Easton Chamber of Commerce, August 2008.

Easton Mass 1950

Easton, Massachusetts is rich with history. The town was incorporated in 1725 and is an historical community with four National Register Historic Districts, one of which includes five buildings designed by renowned architect, Henry H. Richardson. In fact, Easton, second only to Williamsburg Virginia, has the largest National Historic District in the country. Additionally, Frederick Law Olmstead, noted landscape architect who designed Central Park in New York and the “Emerald Necklace” in Boston, designed the landscape of many estates in Easton. Tours can be scheduled through the Easton Historical Society.

Long before the first Europeans came to America, Easton was a border area of the Wampanoags and many evidences of the Native Americans remain today. In the late 1700’s Easton residents supported the Revolutionary War, and used its resources to assist the cause for freedom. Cannons for George Washington’s army were cast in “Furnace Village”, and muskets were made at a local forge that also produced some of the earliest steel manufactured in America. George Washington is believed to have spent at least two nights in Easton at taverns along Bay Road. The Benjamin Williams Tavern still stands today and one of Easton’s four milestones along Bay Road is in the front yard with the initials B.W. carved in it.

In the early nineteenth century, a man named Oliver Ames, moved to Easton and began manufacturing some of the earliest iron shovels in America. Business would prosper and by the end of the century would ultimately become the largest of its kind in the world. The Ames family greatly influenced the character and growth of North Easton with its noted architecture, their philanthropic commitments, and attentiveness to education which was a trademark of the family. Many historic materials related to the Ameses industrial and societal history can by found at the Stonehill Industrial History Center at Stonehill College in Easton.

In addition to appreciating Easton’s history, there are many modern day amenities that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. There are some great and varied restaurants ranging from Japanese, to Chinese, Thai, Irish, Spanish Tapas, American cuisine, and Easton’s own candy factory, Hilliard’s House of Candy. There is something to suit everyone tastes.

For people who enjoy the outdoors, Borderland State Park has a network of trails within its 1570 acres, great for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding or dog walking. Borderland was also the site for the recent filming of a Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio film. The Natural Resources Trust runs Sheep Pasture, which offers walking trails, and farmyard animals. Frothingham Park is a great Town park with a ball field, a track, tennis courts and a playground for smaller children.

Stonehill College is a Catholic college located on a beautiful 375-acre campus in Easton, the former estate of Frederick Lothrop Ames. For families with smaller children, the Children’s Museum in Easton offers a terrific interactive indoor as well as outdoor play area. In 2008 they were awarded the Nickelodeon Parent’s Pick for Best Little Kids Museum. For golf enthusiasts Easton has two golf courses, Easton Country Club, and Pine Oaks Golf Course as well as a miniature golf course at Golf Country Mini Golf and Ice Cream.

Whether you are a history buff, a budding architect, or an outdoor enthusiast, Easton, MA is worth a visit. We hope you’ll join us soon for a great Massachusetts vacation.

Skiing in the Berkshires is a very popular vacation activity. The Berkshires has also earned the title Spa Capital of New England

Make a visit with the whole family to these memorable Massachusetts vacation spots.

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Cape Cod Summer Vacation  Not rated yet
My favorite vacation activity is to visit my family’s Cape Cod summer home, on the waterfront and go fishing. The ocean breeze always seems to be very ...

Quaint Rockport, MA  Not rated yet
For about 10 years my husband and I lived in the little town of Rockport, MA on Cape Ann. This is known as the "other cape" when spoken in context with ...

Cape Codder Resort on Cape Cod Massachusetts  Not rated yet
Cape Codder Resort, on Cape Cod Massachusetts, sounds like a great family vacation idea. It is close to Boston, for a day trip or 2 as well in the middle ...

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